The skies threatened to rain, but MBPA stayed dry during the April Biz Buzz, hosted by the Middleburg Community Center with libations courtesy of Peter Leonard-Morgan and Candice Bower from Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty.
In 2024, the MCC celebrates its 76th year of town and community service, with a look toward the future as it kicks off its $7.7 million capital campaign in 2025. Before the CC was built, there were stables, paddocks, a show ring and open countryside beyond.
“The only remaining original structure is Olivia’s house right off the garden,” said MBPA President Punkin Lee. “My grandmother and father lived in that house and my grandmother’s horse operation included foxhunters, show horses and sales horses.”
General Billy Mitchell, who later built the house at Boxwood Winery, and General George Patton boarded their horses with Mrs. Lee.
“Mr. and Mrs. Howell Jackson purchased the property, rallied the community for donations, Billy Dew designed the building and grounds, and since 1948, the community has enjoyed this wonderful facility.”
“Welcome everybody, thank you for coming,” said Olivia Rogers, MCC Executive Director. “Our spaces are available for use for anyone in our community, please make this your home!
Lynn Wiley, President of the Community Center Board of Directors, highlighted upcoming improvements to the Center.
“We hope to construct a new pavilion, which gives us rainy day cover, picnic opportunities and shade for the pool,” she said.
“Next year,” Lynn continued, “we are starting a $7.7 million capital campaign. When you have property, you know you have to care for it, and the one thing we know that will have to be replaced in the future is the pool.
“Pool usage has increased tenfold over the past few years,” she explained. “Last year we had 60 families for swimming lessons, whereas the year before we had maybe eight! It’s important and we appreciate everything you do to support the Community Center.”
Click here to see MCC’s schedule of community events.
Janeen Marconi and Sherri Gershwin of HCSIR thanked attendees for the support of HCSIR, which is celebrating their sixth year in Middleburg and provided wine from Knead Wine and beer from Old Ox for the evening.
“We are so excited to be part of this community, which is like no other,” said Janeen.
MBPA Updates
As always, Middleburg is bursting with activity seven days a week. For the latest, please visit the Online Events Calendar!
“I think we need to be in serious training to make it through April and be ready to head into May,” laughed Punkin.
MBPA welcomed new members Bill Stromire from Wizzor, William McColloch of Hunt Country Computer Services and Thomas & Talbot Estate Properties.
The Middleburg Deli is open under new ownership!
“For nearly 30 years, Maria and Pedro have served the best sandwiches, potato salad, brownies and warmest welcome to all of us,” Punkin said. “They are finishing training new owners Javier and Dario before they head out for a much-needed long visit with family.”
If you have not renewed your MBPA Membership for 2024, please do so as soon as possible, as your directory listing will be dropped on April 30. If you renew after April 30, your listing will be restored.
Middleburg had the title double page as well as two pages of editorial in the latest issue of Fly Washington magazine, which is distributed at the region’s airports!
MBPA Member Survey:
The Board is working to organize respondents’ ideas and suggestions so that it may go forward addressing everything in a productive manner. When the Board completes this task, the information will be shared with MBPA Members as well as the Town of Middleburg Economic Development Committee.
The survey contained many referrals to technology and programs that would help businesses, and Tanner Jaksa and Jacob Andrews from American Marketing & Publishing (AMP), a Google partner, were on hand to explain.
“We are a Google partner for online listings management, which means we help business be more ‘findable’ online, “said Tanner. “A lot of this you can do yourself, but we can step in and help you professionally.”
“Most of us are familiar with Google Streetview,” said Jacob. “What we do is take that same principle and bring it inside your brick-and-mortar location. From Google or Google maps, potential customers can get an inside view of your store and the products you offer. The conversion rate is nearly double the usual!”
The Google Certified photographer will be in Middleburg April 25 and May 2, and likely later in May as well. There is a one-time cost to do a virtual tour of your store. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tanner or Jacob.
Every Little Something, a stationery and invitation shop, will be opening in May between Middleburg Antiques and Atlantic Union Bank. Please stop by and welcome the Fergusons to town!
Nomad Provisions, a food and beverage business, will be taking over the former Old Ox Brewery space on South Madison Street. They will hopefully be serving Old Ox beer!
Town Updates
Loudoun County will have Launch Loudoun Business Hours coming up on April 24 at the Library from 10 am to 1 pm. Additional information is forthcoming from the Town Office.
The Loudoun County Small Business Summit is April 30 from 8 am to 3 pm at The Lodge at Hanson Park, 23394 Endeavor Drive in Aldie.
“May is a little crazy,” laughed Ali MacIntyre from the Town Office. “The Middleburg Farmers’ Market kicks off on Saturday, May 4 at the Town Hall from 9-12. It is every Saturday through October 25. Art in the Burg is May 11, and we have a record number of entries, and some new features like the Pet Fashion Show, Story Time with Mary Beth and more throughout the day.”
Finishing out the month of May, the Fox5 Zip Trip will be in Town on the 31st, featuring the various characters of Middleburg, including law enforcement and non-profit highlights, followed by the Town Hall ribbon cutting and Inaugural Middleburg Day.
Danny Davis, Town Manager, has worked with the County Fire Marshal’s Office to develop a fire safety inspection checklist for everyone.
There will be a community meeting with the Fire Marshal at the Town Hall on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 pm. Please contact Danny with any questions or to RSVP.
The Fire Marshal will be conducting fire inspections beginning April 29. Please attend the meeting on April 23 and be prepared for inspections!
April 27 is the Spring Town Cleanup! Police Chief Shaun Jones implored guests to participate in the annual Spring Town Cleanup Day.
“We will meet at 8 am on Saturday, April 27 in front of the Town Hall,” Shaun announced. “Once we have finished cleanup, from 10 am to 2 pm is prescription drug takeback, so any medication you need to get rid of, the Police Department will be out there collecting it to ensure it is properly disposed of.”
Additionally, the MPD and Atlantic Union Bank will have a shred truck on site that day, so bring your unwanted documents! There is a two-box limit per person.
Congratulations to April’s Door Prize Winners!
Certified Humane Gift Bag: Jefferson VanAllen
Wine from The Market Group: Tucker Withers
Hunt Country Sotheby’s Private Label Wine: Tori Sullivan
Hunt Country Sotheby’s Private Label Wine: DeeAnn Jeremiah
Gift Card to Cupcake Heaven from Kim Newman: Harriett Condon
Gift Card to Cupcake Heaven from Kim Newman: Rachel Ramuzzi
The next Bizz Buzz is Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at the Bank of Charles Town, 115 The Plains Road, Suite 150, Middleburg.